The flora and fauna of Mehgalya

 FLORA : 

 The floral diversity of Meghalaya is well reputed for its richness and has been a centre of attraction for many botanists. The presence of a large number of primitive flowering plants has prompted Takhtajan (1969) to call it the Cradle of Flowering Plants

Meghalaya harbours about 3,128 species of flowering plants and contributes about 18% of the total flora of the country, including 1,237 endemic species. A wide variety of wild cultivable plants, edible fruits, leafy vegetables and orchids are found in the natural forests of Meghalaya.

FAUNA : 

Herbivores commonly found are Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Serow and Barking deer. Omnivores comprise of Jackals, Common fox, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Large Indian civets, Yellow throated Marten, Mongoose, Hog Badger etc. Among the primates, Hoolock Gibbon, the only Ape found in India and Capped Langur both globally endangered species are also found in the State.Other primates found in the State are Slow Loris, Pig Tailed Macaque, Stump Tailed Macaque and Rhesus Macaque.

Meghalaya is a part of Indo-Burma biodiversity hot spot and identified as key area for biodiversity conservation due to high species diversity and high level of endemism. It has attracted the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and research scholars from all over the country. The rare and highly endangered Clouded Leopard is the State Animal. Other carnivores found here are Leopard, Leopard cat, Jungle cat, Golden Cat, Marbled Cat, Dhole or Indian Wild Dog and Indian Wolf.